The New Zealand dollar climbed to a new eight-year high against its trans-Tasman counterpart after disappointing Australian jobs figures underlined the divergence between the neighbouring economies. The kiwi rose as high as 94.52 Australian cents, trading at 94.45 cents at 5pm in Wellington from 93.40 cents yesterday. It was little changed at 83.29 US cents at 5pm from 83.32 cents …

The New Zealand dollar slipped against the greenback ahead of the Federal Reserve’s regional outlook, known as the beige book, and US manufacturing figures, both of which will likely show more strength in the world’s biggest economy. The kiwi fell to 83.36 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 83.77 cents at 8am and 83.70 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index …

Xero has appointed Chorus marketing and sales general manager Victoria Crone to head its local operation as cloud-based accounting software maker continues its drive to grab customers. Crone will join Xero’s Auckland office in April this year as New Zealand managing director, joining the Wellington-based accounting software maker after 18 years with Telecom and Chorus. She previously managed Telecom’s sales …